Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed dies of colon cancer at age 72

Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed died of colon cancer at age 72.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our lifelong friend and bandmate, Alto Reed,” 75-year-old Seger said on Twitter on Thursday.

He continued: “Alto has died this morning at his home with his family next door after waging a brave battle against colon cancer. Alto is part of our musical family, on and off stage, for almost 50 years. years. ‘

RIP: Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band saxophonist Alto Reed died of colon cancer at age 72. He played in Florida in 2011

The artist Night Moves recalled his long ties with the talented musician.

“I started playing with Alto in 1971,” Seger said. It was amazing. He could play almost anything … he was fun, he knew and played the tenor saxophone and the alto saxophone at the same time.

Old Time Rock and Roll artist recalled how Reed played alongside him at his “first concert at Cobo Hall” in Detroit, where Reed was originally from.

“We asked him to be a part of these shows,” Seger said. ‘Without a doubt, his iconic performance on Turn the Page helped us rise to another level. Since then, he has been with us on stage in almost every show … the audience roared every time he played his part. In our band, Alto was the rock star ”.

Bob Seger said “Reed’s iconic performance on Turn the Page helped us rise to another level.”

Well remembered: Detroit’s classic rock radio host Jim O’Brien said the musician “was so proud of the fans and the family” and added, “That’s all he talked about.”

Reed, whose name was Thomas Cartmell, “had a passion for discovering and experiencing new things,” Seger said, recalling details of their adventures together.

“He taught me how to navigate Biscayne Bay, we swam with sharks (unintentionally!) And he often introduced us to the local foods and restaurants he had discovered,” Seger said. I called him captain. He was bolder than me. I remember visiting him in the Miami area and finding him feeding the manatees in a lagoon behind his house. Most feed seagulls, Alto fed the manatees.

The Hollywood Nights artist also detailed his friend’s personal life, saying that “Alto raised a family and was a fabulous father” and “helped raise two talented, beautiful and intelligent young ladies” in his daughters Chelsea Reed Radler and Victoria Reed.

Seger issued a statement on Twitter on Thursday following the passage of his bandmate

Icon: Seger was seen performing in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2006

Her daughters said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press, “Our hearts are deeply broken by this huge loss, but it is also full of gratitude as we reflect on his legacy and the incredible luck we have had in calling a father. so special. “

Detroit classic rock radio host Jim O’Brien recalled his exchanges with the musician in the newspaper.

“It was fun talking to him, I was always so excited about what was going on,” O’Brien said. ‘He loved it. He was very proud of the fans and the family. That’s what he talked about. He did so much for the people of Detroit that people didn’t know. Just a great guy. You loved hearing the joy of his voice.